International round-up

It's looking good at the half-way stage of World Cup qualifying for Didier Zokora and the Ivory Coast.

It's looking good at the half-way stage of World Cup qualifying for Didier Zokora and the Ivory Coast.

The midfielder played 90 minutes as the Ivorians came through a tough match against Burkino Faso at the weekend.

They won 3-2 in Ouagadougou to top Group E with three games remaining in the final round of African qualifying.

There are five groups of four teams left at this stage - including Benoit Assou-Ekotto's Cameroon in Group A - with only the winners going through to South Africa.

Elsewhere, Heurelho Gomes was on the bench again as Brazil breezed past Italy 3-0 to top their group and reach the semi-finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa. USA beat Egypt to reach the last four.

Spain won the other group with three wins in three and qualified for the semi-finals with hosts South Africa. Spain take on USA on Wednesday, Brazil face South Africa on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Danny Rose will be hoping for a taste of the action as England Under-21s, who have already qualified for the semi-finals, take on Germany in their final group game in Sweden tonight (Monday, June 22).